Czech Republic win Davis Cup

‘LIVING A DREAM’:The 3-2 victory in Prague was sweet revenge for the Czech Republic after they were swept 5-0 by opponents Spain in the 2009 final in Barcelona

AP, PRAGUE

The Czech Republic Davis Cup team, left to right, Radek Stepanek, Ivo Minar, Lukas Rosol, Tomas Berdych and captain Jaroslav Navratil pose with the trophy after winning the Davis Cup final against Spain in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday.

Photo: AFP

It is a job for two when the Czech Republic triumph at Davis Cup finals.

Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek gave the Czech Republic the title for the first time as an independent nation by beating Spain 3-2 in the final on Sunday. Each spent about 10 grueling hours on court, playing the opening singles, teaming up for the doubles and then completing the reverse singles.

Ivan Lendl and Tomas Smid did the same when Czechoslovakia defeated Italy 4-1 in the 1980 final.

“They’ve been our inspiration, our idols. They’re the legends and now we’re joining them,” Stepanek said after clinching the title with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/0), 3-6, 6-3 upset victory over Nicolas Almagro in the last reverse singles.

“I’m living a dream,” said Stepanek, who wept openly. “We have been working very hard, very hard for this moment. It was the biggest pressure under which I’ve ever played. Everything was at stake.”

Berdych added: “This is a moment we’ll never forget.”

The Czech Republic’s quest for the Davis Cup began in the 2007 World Group playoff against Switzerland in Prague, with Stepanek and Berdych teaming up in the doubles against Roger Federer and Yves Allegro. The pair saved a match point, before going on to win the match and ultimately the series, starting the journey to Sunday’s title.

“We’ve been dreaming about it since the series against Switzerland,” Stepanek said. “Whatever it takes in the Davis Cup, we’ll go through it.”

Although Berdych rarely plays doubles, the two now have an excellent record of 12-1 in the Davis Cup.

On Sunday, the 37th-ranked Stepanek was the outsider against his 11th-ranked opponent, but he stuck to his attacking game on the fast indoor carpet at the O2 Arena, winning 41 points at the net.

“I was playing very aggressive today — I wanted be the one who is active, who is controlling the game,” Stepanek said. “It paid off, even though I lost the third set. I had no doubt I was on the way.”

Leading 4-2 in the fourth set, he dived to his right to produce a volley that Almagro was unable to return to go 30-15 up and rouse the crowd, with chants of “Radek, Radek,” echoing around the arena.

“It was an important moment,” said Stepanek, who is not ready to quit the team, despite turning 34 later this month. “It gives us a great motivation for the next season.”

Playing in his first final, Almagro said he learned a lot, despite losing to Stepanek and Berdych.

“It was a fantastic experience,” Almagro said. “It’s a pleasure for me to be part of the team.”

The victory was sweet revenge for the Czech Republic after they were swept 5-0 by Spain in the 2009 final in Barcelona.

Earlier on Sunday, Ferrer kept alive Spain’s hopes of winning a fourth Davis Cup title in five years by beating Berdych 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the first reverse singles match to tie the final at 2-2.

Ferrer is wrapping up the best season of his career with an ATP Tour-best seven tournament titles. He converted his first match point for his 76th win of the year when Berdych’s forehand hit the net, bringing cheers from the boisterous section of Spanish fans.

“We’re sad at this moment,” Ferrer said after Almagro’s loss. “I’m very proud of our team. We were fighting to win here in Prague.”